Policy

Selection Policy

Objectives

Set out below are the general selection criteria for Elite and pre-Elite (High Performance) squads (collectively, the “Squads”) and for athletes representing ‘Hong Kong, China’ for races. Specific criteria shall be considered at the discretion of the Committee when circumstances arise for such requirement.

Squads

The hierarchy of Squads is classified into

- pre-Elite (comprising Regional Squad and National Development Squad); and

- Elite (comprising National Squad) athletes.

Selection

The Squads will be selected from time to time, on the basis of age, residency, proficiency and commitment to specific obligations. Selection of athletes to the National Squad is the responsibility of the Selection Committee, whilst selection of athletes to the National Development Squad and Regional Squad is the responsibility of the Development Committee.

Age

Save for exceptional circumstances, athletes selected for the relevant squads must be of the following ages (where ages are taken as of 31 December of the relevant period for which they will be selected):

- National Squad : aged 15 or above.

- National Development Squad : aged between 14 and 17

- Regional Squad aged between 11 and 15.

Residency

Any athlete selected into any of the Squads must either be a permanent resident of the Hong Kong SAR or have been continuously resident in the Hong Kong SAR for at least three years prior to selection.

Proficiency

Proficiency for relevant Squads is assessed by various means, including (but not exclusively limited to):

- other than in exceptional circumstances, achieving the applicable Squad Benchmarking Times for the relevant disciplines (swim, bike and run) against which the athlete is being benchmarked. Squad Benchmarking will be held from time to time and announced in advance.

- prior results whilst racing for Hong Kong SAR or, in the case of those athletes who have not been previously selected to represent Hong Kong SAR, prior results from races of an appropriate quality.

Squad Benchmarking exemptions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. The Committee reserves the right to assess proficiency of athletes by other means or with references of equivalent standard as it shall deem fit.

For the avoidance of doubt, achieving the Squad Benchmarking Times required for consideration to be invited to the relevant Squad does not automatically confer the right to be invited to become a member of any of the Squads. The relevant Committee shall consider whether or not to invite any athlete to the relevant Squad on the basis of all relevant factors, including (but not exclusively limited to) the criteria set out above.

Squad Obligations

In return for the substantial benefits athletes receive for being a member of a Squad, members of any Squad are required to commit to certain obligations which are specified separately in a document entitled “Elite Athlete Obligations”, for members of National Squad and “pre-Elite Athlete Obligations” for members of the National Development Squad and Regional Squad. Any athlete who is unwilling to accept the obligations will not be selected into the relevant Squad. Any athlete who, having been selected to a Squad, fails to comply with the obligations may be removed from the relevant Squad.

Continued membership of the relevant Squad

An athletes’ continued membership of any Squad will be dependent on the athlete’s continuous compliance with their Elite Athlete Obligations and/or pre-Elite Athlete Obligations, and commitment and performance in training and racing, as assessed from time to time by the Triathlon Head Coach and the relevant Committee.

Race Selection & Nomination

The selection (or nomination for selection) of athletes to represent `Hong Kong, China' in triathlon races shall be at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee. This includes:

a) selecting Elite athletes to represent ‘Hong Kong, China’ at local or overseas races sanctioned by the Asian Triathlon Confederation (“ASTC”) or the International Triathlon Union (“ITU”);

b) the athlete must satisfy the qualification criteria (if any) for the event;

c) the Elite athlete's performance targets;

d) the athlete’s desire to complete the event and race to the very best of their ability;

e) the athlete’s ability to satisfactorily complete the event;

f) any restrictions or limits placed on the number of athletes that are eligible for the event;

g) any prior representation of another sporting nation;

h) financial constraints, such as the availability of funds.

Others

Selection of Age Group Athletes to represent Hong Kong, China

Any TriHK member who is a permanent resident of the Hong Kong SAR or is currently resident in Hong Kong is eligible for nomination to compete for “Hong Kong, China” in the age group categories of the Asian Triathlon Championships or the World Triathlon Championships.

The following factors, though non-exclusive, shall be taken into account in considering whether to approve such nomination:

b) the athlete must satisfy the qualification criteria (if any) for the event;

c) the athlete’s ability to satisfactorily complete the event;

d) any restrictions or limits placed on the number of athletes that are eligible for the event; and

e) any prior representation of another sporting nation.

No funding shall be allocated to age groupers.

Funding

The Selection Committee shall make allocation of available funding to assist Elite athletes to compete in events recognized by the LCSD and Hong Kong Sports Institute. Where appropriate, allocation of funding for coaches and other support personnel for attending the races is also provided.

Self-funded athletes

Members of the relevant Squad may be eligible to participate in races on a self-funded basis in accordance with the provisions of the Self-Funded Athletes Policy adopted by HKTriA from time to time.

Logos of Personal Sponsors on Race Kit

Space is allocated on the front of National Squad race kit under the country code, for the display of up to three (3) logos of personal sponsors. Athletes will be asked to make their requests at the beginning each calendar year.

The following fall outside the scope of personal sponsors and as such will not be allowed:

1. Clubs, sports teams and athlete management companies; and

2. Personal sponsors that are in conflict with sponsors serving the whole Squad or TriHK; and

3. Personal sponsors that are in conflict with the services provided by TriHK or HKSI.

It should be noted that the display of personal sponsors’ logo on race kit is a privilege that is extended to National Squad triathletes, it is not a right. This privilege may be withheld from triathletes who fail to cooperate with this policy or with their National Squad obligations or their obligations under the terms of National Squad sponsors. In order to avoid issues arising due to conflicts, triathletes are requested to keep TriHK informed about their personal sponsors.

Appeal Mechanism

Appeals regarding selection to the National Squad or representation of Hong Kong, China at Elite level in international races under the jurisdiction of TriHK should be made in accordance with the following escalating process:

1. Raise the matter within 3 days of announcement with the Head Triathlon Coach, either verbally or in writing. A response should be expected within 48 hours.

2. If the response is not considered to be satisfactory, an appeal to the Selection Committee should be made in writing by within one week of the announcement. A response should be expected within 72 hours.

3. If the response is still not considered to be satisfactory, an appeal to the Executive Committee should be made in writing by within two weeks of the announcement. A response should be expected within 72 hours. The decision of the Executive Committee will be final.

Policy for self-funded athletes

The purpose of this document is to set out the circumstances in which members of the National Squad will be eligible to apply to race for Hong Kong on a self-funded basis.

The Selection Committee recognises that there will be circumstances in which an athlete’s participation in a race would not be possible due to a lack of funds available to cover the costs of such athlete’s participation. In such circumstances, members of the National Squad who fulfil the criteria set out below will be eligible to apply to the Head Coach for his endorsement that the athlete be selected by the Selection Committee to race for Hong Kong on a self-funded basis.

The applicable criteria for such self-funded athletes are:

- The athlete is a current member of the National Squad (either National Squad Elite or National Squad Junior Elite).

- The athlete has been (i) endorsed by the Head Coach; (ii) selected by the Selection Committee (in accordance with the Selection Policy of the TriHK adopted from time to time); and (iii) approved by EXCOM to participate in the race.

- The relevant funding body has indicated that there are insufficient funds available to cover the costs of such athlete’s participation.

- There are adequate slots available to the Hong Kong National Squad at the relevant race once all funded athletes’ applications have been accepted by the race organiser to permit self-funded athletes to participate.

In the above circumstances, members of the National Squad who fulfil the criteria set out above will be eligible to apply to the Head Coach and the Selection Committee for approval to race for Hong Kong on a self-funded basis. As with all selections, the approval or not of such application is at the discretion of the Head Coach and the Selection Committee in accordance with the Selection Policy of the TriHK adopted from time to time.

For other ITU or like events that the Hong Kong National Squad is not scheduled to participate at, a national team athlete, should he/she believe a certain event would be suitable and beneficial for him/her to race at, may approach the Head Coach to seek his endorsement to race on a self-funded basis. Upon endorsement by the Head Coach and Selection Committee’s approval of this endorsement (in accordance with the Selection Policy of the TriHK as adopted from time to time), the athlete may race at such an event on a self-funded basis.

Any athlete who is selected to represent Hong Kong at any event on a self-funded basis is subject to the same obligations and responsibilities as a funded athlete, including compliance with all requests and instructions of the coach accompanying or supervising the athletes at such event.

Language

This Selection Policy has been prepared in both English and Chinese and, in the event of any inconsistency, the English version will prevail.

About TriHK

Established in 1984, the Hong Kong Triathlon Association is the sole governing body in Hong Kong for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and related multi-sport activities. The Association maintains an office in Olympic House, Causeway Bay and employs seven full-time staff, who are charged with carrying out its day to day affairs.